Youngstown State University
Radford
Penguins Go For Fourth-Straight Win Versus Radford on Saturday Afternoon
3/7/2025 3:27:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
The Youngstown State women's lacrosse team is set to wrap up their three-game road trip and their non-conference slate this Saturday when they travel to the state of Virginia for a matchup with the Radford Highlanders at the Student Outdoor Recreation Complex. The opening draw is set for 12 p.m.
There will not be a live broadcast of the game. You can follow along with the Penguins through the game's live stats, which will be available through a link at YSUSports.com.
Last Time Out
The Penguins are coming off their third-consecutive victory on Thursday as they defeated Gardner-Webb 16-8 at Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, N.C.
Katie Grottenthaler had a game to remember, as she netted a career-high six goals. Grottenthaler has been on a tear recently, having secured three-straight hat tricks over YSU's winning streak, scoring 13 total goals over the three-game stretch.
Claire Baenziger also secured a hat trick during the Penguins' victory, notching three goals.
Lena Cox and Ava Kreuzter netted two goals each, while Ally Garrett, Brooke Peck, and Grace Rund all scored one goal.
Cox added two assists to her two goals for four total points on the day.
Tori Bustamante had another very strong game defensively, causing a team-high four turnovers, while tying a team-high with four ground ball recoveries. Grottenthaler also had four ground balls for YSU.
Liz Amos started the game in the cage, saving five shots while allowing six goals in 33 minutes of action. Brooke Harper then relieved Amos shortly into the second half, saving three shots while allowing just two goals, achieving her first victory in goal of the season.
The game was back-and-forth through the opening 15 minutes, as neither team got on a multi-goal run, and Gardner-Webb held a 3-2 lead. Katie Grottenthaler scored the first goal for the Penguins with 7:33 remaining in the first quarter, and Ally Garrett scored the second goal of the quarter at the 3:52 mark.
The Penguins started the second quarter very strongly, as Claire Baenziger tied the game at three just 35 seconds into the second period, Katie Grittenthaler gave the Penguins their first lead at the 13:12 mark of the second quarter, and Baenziger scored her second goal with 10:22 remaining in the period to extend the lead. The Runnin' Bulldogs would get one goal closer at the 9:28 mark, but Grottenthaler would score the last goal of the opening half with 2:50 remaining, making it 6-4 YSU heading into the break.
Gardner-Webb would start the second half red-hot, scoring two goals in a span of 25 seconds, the first coming at the 12:39 mark of the third quarter, and the second coming with 12:04 on the clock, equalizing the score at six. That run was all YSU needed to wake up, as the Penguins would reel off seven-straight goals to blow the game open. Grace Rund would give the Penguins their lead back with 11:02 remaining in the third quarter, and she was then followed by two goals from Grottenthaler at the 7:52 and 7:04 marks of the period, and then Lena Cox scored two goals of her own, coming with 3:27 and 2:49 remaining in the quarter, to give the Penguins an 11-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The 7-0 run was capped off with a goal from Grottenthaler with 10:44 remaining in the fourth quarter, and Ava Kreutzer's goal at the 8:55 mark, giving the Penguins a seven-goal advantage at 13-6. Summer Carpenter snapped Gardner-Webb's scoring drought of just under 17 minutes with 5:12 remaining in the game, but the Penguins answered with two goals, the first from Brooke Peck with 2:21 remaining, and the second from Baenziger, her third, with 1:32 on the clock. GWU scored just 17 seconds later to make the score 15-8, but YSU got the last goal of the game, coming from Kreuzter, her second, with just 20 seconds remaining on the clock, giving YSU a 16-8 victory at Spangler Stadium.
This marks YSU's first three-game winning streak on the road and overall, since Apr. 9-Apr. 30, 2022, when the Penguins strung off four-straight wins to end the regular season, helping them win a share of the Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship.
About Radford
The Highlanders come into Saturday's matchup with a record of 2-3, as they are coming off an 18-1 defeat against George Washington last Saturday on March 1st.
Saturday's matchup will be the first of a three-game homestand for Radford, with each game coming against MAC opponents. After their matchup with the Penguins, Radford will face Kent State on Mar. 12, and Akron on Mar. 19.
Looking back at their loss vs. George Washington last Saturday, the Highlanders dug themselves a deep hole early in the matchup, giving up their first goal just 55 seconds into the game, and trailing 8-0 after the first quarter. GW would then add three goals in the second quarter, four in the third, and three more in the fourth to win the game. Radford's lone goal of the game came courtesy of Mady Cheney with 4:49 remaining in the fourth quarter.
George Washington won the draw control battle 16-6 and outshot Radford 41-10.
Ava LaManna had 11 saves for the Highlanders, playing all 60 minutes in the cage.
Lauren Davis had a team-high three ground balls.
Highlanders Stat Leaders Through Five Games
Points – Alyssa Yost (10)
Goals – Alyssa Yost (10)
Assists – Evie Gee (5)
Ground Balls – Ava LaManna (12)
Caused Turnovers – Emily Strother, Erica Lawrence, Alyssa Yost (4)
Draw Controls – Mady Cheney (18)
Saves – Ava LaManna (61)
Series History
This will be the first meeting all-time between the Penguins and the Highlanders.
A Win Would
- Give YSU a 5-3 overall record, and a 3-0 record on the road this season.
- Be the second time in program history that YSU has won four-straight games, marking the second-longest winning streak in program history.
- Be the first time that the Penguins have won three-consecutive road games since 2023, when they won four straight road games.
- Be YSU's first win over Radford in program history.
- Improve YSU's record to 4-2 all-time against members of the Big South Conference, and 3-0 this season.
- Give Head Coach Rob Harris his fifth win at YSU, and his 108th career win.
Penguins Rank Highly Across the MAC in Many Categories
Youngstown State has shined across the MAC in many statistical categories through early this season.
Caused Turnovers – 76 (1st MAC)
- The Penguins rank 17th nationally in CT/G with 10.86.
Goals Scored – 100 (1st MAC)
Draw Controls – 103 (1st MAC)
Scoring Margin – +3.3 (2nd MAC)
Ground Balls – 131 (1st MAC)
Cox, Grottenthaler, and Baenziger Lead the Offensive Attack
Sophomores Lena Cox, Katie Grottenthaler, and freshman Claire Baenziger have catapulted the Penguins offensive attack through the first six games, with Grottenthaler leading the charge with 23 goals, and Cox and Baenziger adding 14 goals each.
Grottenthaler currently leads in the MAC in goals and ranks third in goals per game (3.29), while Cox and Baenziger rank in a tie for fourth in goals and seventh in goals per game (2.00).
Grottenthaler also leads the MAC in draw controls (39).
Cox has done an exceptional job setting up goals this season for the Penguins, as she ranks second in the MAC in both assists (13) and assists per game (1.86).
A Trio of Guins Rank Atop the MAC in Caused Turnovers
A duo of Penguins sophomores, Tori Bustamante and Mackenzie Flannigan, currently sit in the top spots in the league in caused turnovers, as Bustamante has a league-leading 15, and Flannigan is right behind her with 12. Bustamante also leads the MAC in caused turnovers per game (2.14), while Flannigan ranks third in that category (1.71).
Fellow Penguin Molly Sheridan has started off her senior season very strong as she ranks in a tie for third in the MAC in caused turnovers with 10.
Penguins Statistical Leaders
Points:
1. Lena Cox - 27
2. Katie Grottenthaler – 25
3. Claire Baenziger – 15
Goals:
1. Katie Grottenthaler – 23
T-2. Lena Cox – 14
T-2. Claire Baenziger – 14
Assists:
1. Lena Cox – 13
2. Mia Yuris – 3
T-3. Katie Grottenthaler – 2
T-3. Sami Drew – 2
T-3. Jacella Nephew - 2
Ground Balls:
T-1. Katie Grottenthaler – 16
T-1. Tori Bustamante – 16
3. Molly Sheridan – 12
Caused Turnovers:
1. Tori Bustamante – 15
2. Mackenzie Flannigan – 12
3. Molly Sheridan – 10
Draw Controls:
1. Katie Grottenthaler – 39
2. Genna Cooke – 20
3. Ava Kreutzer - 17
MAC Weekly Award Selections:
Lena Cox – Co-Offensive Player of the Week (2-18)
Katie Grottenthaler - Co-Offensive Player of the Week (2-11)
Tara McHugh – Defensive Player of the Week (2-11)
Roster Outlook
Youngstown State boasts a 30-player roster with 17 newcomers and just 13 returnees from the 2024 squad. Five of the 17 newcomers are transfers, while the other 12 are true freshmen. Seven of the 13 returnees started in at least 10 games last season. The Penguins return five major statistical category leaders from last season, including the team's top attacker from last season, Lena Cox. Cox led the Penguins as a freshman last season in goals (25), assists (10), points (35), and shots on goal (44). YSU also returns Genna Cooke, who led the Penguins in draw controls as a freshman last season with 40.
Class Breakdown:
Freshmen (12): Claire Baenziger, Mary Gasper, Sami Drew, Lexy Koslakiewicz, Jacella Nephew, Meghan McGrath, Tara McHugh, Kaylie Moore, Stella Rohrbaugh, Bailey Doorhy, Liz Amos, Kara Goertz
Sophomores (10): Gwen Bogash, Lena Cox, Mackenzie Flannigan, Katie Grottenthaler, Tori Bustamante, Ava Kreutzer, Grace Rund, Brooke Peck, Mia Yuris, Genna Cooke
Juniors (5): Brooke Harper, Skylar Pigrom, Ally Garrett, Mia Stahl, Emma Hoffman
Seniors (3): Mia Kuzdzal, Molly Sheridan, Grace Manser
First-Year Transfers in Youngstown
Youngstown State was very busy during the offseason transfer portal window, bringing in five talented transfers to help complete this season's roster.
0 Brooke Harper (Jr.) – Previous School: Hood College
Harper started in all 31 games that she appeared in as a goalkeeper over her two seasons at Division III Hood College. She led the Blazers in saves in each season, totaling 117 saves as a freshman in 2023, and 112 saves as a sophomore in 2024. She had 10 performances over her time at Hood College where she corralled double-digit saves, including a career-high 14 saves twice.
She has appeared in six games thus far, starting four of them. She currently ranks second on the team with 19 saves.
3 Gwen Bogash (So.) – Previous School: Notre Dame College (Ohio)
Bogash burst onto the scene during her freshman season at Division II Notre Dame College in 2024, finishing in a tie for the team lead in goals on the season with 27, while also finishing second on the team in assists with 34. She had eight multi-goal performances on the season, including a season-high eight goals vs. Davis & Elkins on Mar. 27, which tied for the second-most goals scored in a game in program history.
She made her lone appearance of the season thus far vs. Gardner-Webb on Mar. 7.
7 Mackenzie Flannigan (So.) – Previous School: Kent State
Flannigan comes to Youngstown State after spending the 2024 season at fellow MAC school Kent State. She made one appearance last season vs. Cincinnati on Feb. 10. She was named to the Academic All-MAC Team.
She has started in all six games this season and is currently ranks second on the team in caused turnovers with 12, and fourth on the team in ground balls with 11.
12 Tori Bustamante (So.) – Previous School: Molloy University
Bustamante had a sensational freshman season at Division II Molloy University in 2024, as she was named the East Coast Conference Rookie of the Year. She appeared in all 16 games on the season, starting the final nine contests. Bustamante was a very versatile player for the Lions as she contributed both offensively and defensively, totaling 27 points on the season on 18 goals and 9 assists, while also ranking second on the team in ground balls with 35, and fifth on the team in caused turnovers with 18. She scored a goal in 12 contests, including netting a season-high four goals vs. Dist. Columbia on Apr. 20. She collected at least three ground balls in six games.
She has made a big impact for the Penguins through the first seven games, as she currently leads the MAC with 15 caused turnovers, and is also tied for the team-lead in ground balls with 16.
34 Mia Yuris (So.) – Previous School: Notre Dame College (Ohio)
Like fellow Penguin Gwen Bogash, Yuris joined the Youngstown State program after spending the 2024 season at Notre Dame College. She started in her sole appearance of the season vs. Thomas More on Feb. 18, which was the season-opener.
She has appeared in six games thus far this season, accumulating six points, having scored three goals while also dishing out three assists.
Schedule Outlook
The Penguins will play a 15-game schedule this Spring, with seven games coming at home and eight on the road. YSU started their season with five straight games at home. The Penguins will now wrap up nonconference play with three-straight games on the road against Big South opponents, including their final game of the road trip at Radford on Saturday. After the conclusion of their nonconference slate, YSU will play a six-game Mid-American Conference schedule starting on Mar. 16 at home vs. Akron, which will be the first of three home games vs. MAC foes. All home conference games will be played at Farmers National Bank Field.
Penguins Tied for Sixth in Preseason MAC Poll
Youngstown State was picked to finish in a tie for sixth in the 2025 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference announced on Feb. 5.
2025 MAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Robert Morris (4) - 34 points
2. Central Michigan (2) - 31 points
3. Eastern Michigan (1) - 26 points
4. Kent State - 18 points
5. Detroit Mercy - 16 points
T6. Akron - 11 points
T6. Youngstown State – 11 points
Tournament Champion: Central Michigan - 3, Eastern Michigan - 2, Robert Morris - 2
Guins Return Two Members of 2024 MAC All-Freshman Team
During a 2024 season where multiple young players saw significant playing time, Youngstown State boasted three members of the Mid-American Conference's All-Freshman Team at the season's end, two of whom have made their return to Youngstown for their sophomore seasons. Lena Cox, the team's leader in goals, assists, and points, last season, scored nine goals and dished out five assists in MAC play. Joining Cox on the All-Freshman Team was Katie Grottenthaler, who scored nine of 17 goals on the season during conference play.
Up Next
The Penguins will return home to open up Mid-American Conference play on Mar. 16, hosting the Akron Zips outdoors at the Covelli Sports Complex in Youngstown. Fans in attendance will receive a YSU Women's Lacrosse t-shirt, courtesy of Mercy Health, Dunkin, HBK and Avalon Downtown.
For news and updates throughout the 2025 women's lacrosse season, follow @YSUwlax on X .
